Step-ladder



E.. R. FLINT.

STEP LADDER.

No. 271,619. Patented Feb. 6, 1883.

D INVENTOR. WITNESSES:

23d W 5 I I 7 1 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EZRA a. FLINT, or ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,619, dated February6, 1883. Application filed May 26, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, EZRA R. FLINT, ofAdrian, in the county of Lenawee andState of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inStep-Ladders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis specification.

This invention'relates to folding step ladtiers, and has for its objectto produce a simple, durable, inexpensive, and efficient device. To thisend it consists in certain improvements in the construction andarrangement of parts.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the ladder extended.Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe same folded.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the main portion ofthe ladder, comprising side pier-es, B B, supporting suitablyarrangedsteps O, and preferably curved near their tops, as shown at D D.

E is the supporting portion, comprising legs F F, which may be connectedat their lower part by a brace, G, and are pivoted at their tops, as atH H, to the sides 13 B, at their curved part, and extend some distancein front of the same, their forward ends resting on a cross-brace, I,between the side pieces, B B.

J is a cross-piece, of wood, cast-iron,or other suitable material,secured on the tops of supports F F, thus forming-a convenient andsecure step in the most used position, independent of the side pieces, BB, and projecting out in front of the same.' This step J, being mostused, and especially adapted to bear the weight of the person standingon the same when using the ladder, is especially secure, beingsupported, exclusive of theother steps, by legs F F, which in turn aresupported by cross-brace l and their pivots. Owing to the step Jproject: ing in front of the sides greater standing room is secured.

The operation and advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood.

The ladder can be readily extended or folded up when not in use in verycompact form,and is of superior convenience and utility.

The side pieces, B B, and legs F F are preferably formed of bent wood,ashereiu shown.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a step ladder, thecombination, with the side pieces supporting suitably-arranged steps, ofthe legs or supports secured to the same near their top and continuedforward for some distance in front of the top step, so as to receive across-strip forming an independent step, as set forth. i 2. In astep-ladder, the combination, with the side pieces supportingsuitably-arranged steps, and provided near their top with a cro s brace,of legs or supports pivoted to the side pieces, with their top endsextending some distance in front of the same, and adapted to rest on thecrossbrace, and provided with a suitable crossstrip forming anindependent step in front of the side pieces, as and for the purposespecified.

3. In a step-ladder, the combination, with the side pieces supportingsuitably-arranged steps, and curved rearwardly near their top, at whichcurved portion they are provided with a suitable cross-brace, of legs orsupports pivoted to the side pieces at said curved portion, with theirtop ends extending some distance in front ofthe same, and adapted torest on the cross-brace, and'provided with a suitable crossstrip formingan independent step in t'rontof the side pieces, as and for the purposespecified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

EZRA Pt. FLI NT.

Witnesses:

W. F. CORNELL, EVAN W. CORNELL.

